Audi Is Putting 4G Broadband Inside Its Cars

Audi is the first automaker to offer the new 4G LTE high-speed
broadband standard in its cars, offering it as an option on
the S3
Sportback currently sold overseas and due in showrooms
early next year as
a 2015 model.

By November, Audi expects to offer the 4G LTE in more models
including the rest of the A3 range. However, it’s not clear
yet when the feature will be offered to customers in the U.S.

We’ve already seen several concept
versions of the technology; 4G LTE enables the exchange of
large amounts of data via the Internet, such as music and films
in HD quality. Some of the possibilities that 4G LTE will allow
include Skype video chat, voice-to-text (think e-mail and SMS
dictation), and vehicle and home monitoring.

For drivers, the main benefit will be navigation with Google
Earth and Google Street View. However, music streaming from web
radio and the latest online traffic information will also be
beneficial. Though we hate to admit it, many drivers will also be
able to get instant updates from social media services such as
Facebook and Twitter using 4G LTE.

To use 4G LTE in compatible Audis, a suitable SIM card with a
data flat rate needs to be inserted into a slot integrated with
the MMI navigation plus unit. This creates a WLAN hotspot in the
car, which passengers can also connect to.

At a higher level, the technology will enable vehicles to
interact directly with their environment via the 4G LTE network
to enhance safety, efficiency and convenience for drivers and
passengers. The technology is expected to provide a strong boost
to the seamless use of constantly updated data stored on a server
on the Internet (data in the cloud), including vital safety
information. Audi boasts it’s one of the major driving forces
behind the concept of networking with other vehicles and the
transport infrastructure, helping lay the groundwork for
eventual Car-2-Car
communications.